Power of Sunshine: Exploring Vitamin D's Role in Long COVID!

Risk of long COVID is found to be higher in individuals with insufficient vitamin D levels, as per research findings presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology in Istanbul, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ().

The findings suggest that individuals should have their vitamin D levels checked after COVID-19. Also known as post-COVID-19 syndrome, long COVID is a new condition in which the effects of COVID-19 last for more than 12 weeks after contracting the initial infection.

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‘Low levels of vitamin D are associated with an elevated risk of developing long COVID, suggests a new study.’

Studies have shown that it affects 50-70% of patients previously hospitalized for COVID-19, yet very little is known about the condition. One risk factor for worse outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation or death, is low vitamin D levels, but its role in long COVID has not been adequately investigated.

Unveiling the Link: Vitamin D Deficiency and Long COVID

For this study, supported by Abiogen Pharma SpA, researchers from the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan examined 100 patients aged 51-70 years, with and without long COVID.

They measured their vitamin D levels when first admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and six months after being discharged, and found lower vitamin D levels in patients with long COVID compared to those without.

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This result was more evident in patients who experienced ‘brain fog’ symptoms, such as confusion, forgetfulness, and poor concentration, at the six-month follow-up.

The researchers included patients without any bone conditions and only those who went to hospital for COVID-19, without ending up in the intensive care units (ICUs).

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They matched the two groups, with and without long COVID, in terms of age, sex, pre-existing chronic diseases, and COVID-19 severity.

Deficiency to Vulnerability: Understanding the Impact

“Previous studies on the role of vitamin D in long COVID were not conclusive mainly due to many confounding factors,” said lead investigator Professor Andrea Giustina. “The highly-controlled nature of our study helps us better understand the role of vitamin D deficiency in long COVID, and establish that there is likely a link between vitamin D deficiency and long COVID.”

While Professor Giustina acknowledges that larger studies are needed to confirm this link, he and his team are now focused on finding out whether vitamin D supplements can reduce the risk of long COVID.

“Our study shows that COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop long COVID but it is not yet known whether vitamin D supplements could improve the symptoms or reduce this risk altogether.”

References:

Low vitamin D levels are associated with Long COVID syndrome in COVID-19 survivors - (https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgad207/7116659)

Source-Eurekalert